Special Friends bowling coaches are there for you when you need assistance. Before bowling begins they are collecting bowling fees, helping bowlers get ready to bowl and preparing lane assignments. During play you will find them circulating among the lanes assisting and encouraging bowlers, offering tips and lifting the spirits of those discouraged by their performance. Our coaches ensure all bowlers always have fun and are rewarded by putting forth their best efforts.
Coach Joe Stinton: Joseph M. Stinton passed away on June 22, 2025 in The Villages, Florida at 90 years old. Born in Philadelphia on April 6, 1935, and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Joe led a life marked by service, dedication, and love for his family and community. He was married to the love of his life, Penny, for 65 wonderful years. Together, they raised four children: Michael (Patricia), Thomas, Nancy, and Amy (Regina). He was a proud and devoted grandfather to Joseph, Jillian, Corinne, and Jason (Julyssa), and cherished his great-granddaughter, Annalise. Joe was predeceased by his father Michael, his mother Helen, and his brothers Gerard and Ronald. He is survived by his brother Jack. After serving honorably in the U.S. Army, Joe began a distinguished 20-year career as a New York State Trooper in Kingston, NY. Following his retirement from law enforcement, he served as Director of Security at Ulster County Community College, where he also earned an associate degree. A man of deep faith and community spirit, Joe was a volunteer at Benedictine Hospital and avid member of both the Kiwanis Club and the Knights of Columbus in Kingston, NY. In 2003 they relocated to The Villages, where Joe enjoyed retirement with daily rounds of golf. He continued his lifelong commitment to service by co-leading the Special Friends Bowling League for adults with disabilities. He was also an active member of his parish at The Congregational Church in Summerfield, FL. Joe’s legacy of kindness, service, and love will be remembered by all who knew him.
Private services will be held by the family at a later date.
If you’d like to reach out with love and support, you can send your heartfelt messages to Penny and Tom at 1313 Lopez Lane, The Villages, FL 32159.
Coach Ray Kleczkowski (Lane Assignments & Lane Assistance)
Ray retired from Nabisco as a freight expediter and is an avid golfer. He moved from New Jersey to The Villages with his wife, Pat, and daughter, Lisa, on Father’s Day 2001.
Coach Jim Farragher (Lane Assignments & Lane Assistance)
Jim is originally from New York. In 2006 he and his wife, Karen, moved to Arizona. Jim retired from the Security Alarm Industry in 2017. In 2018 he and Karen moved The Villages.
Coach Ken Livengood (Wheelchair Assistant)
Ken is retired from the office furniture business. In 1992 he moved with his family to The Villages from Ravena Village New York. In addition to being a valued asset to our wheelchair bowlers Ken cooks two nights a week at the American Legion Veteran Memorial Post #347 and is a certified Special Olympics Coach.
Coach Dennis Newhard (Lane Assignments & Lane Assistance)
Dennis and his family are from Pennsylvania. While in Pennsylvania, Dennis spent 35 years as a teacher. In 2016 Dennis and his wife, Julie, and son, Derrick, moved to The Villages.
Coach Chris Warner (Administration & Treasurer)
Chris and his family moved to The Villages from Maine in 2011. He retired from American Airlines as a Country Manager and is an avid golfer.
Gregg Dooley (Webmaster & Membership Chairman)
Hi, I’m Gregg Dooley, aka DoubleG. In 2016 I retired, after 25 years with the Federal Government as a Security Computer Programmer, and moved from Northern Virginia to The Villages. I enjoy working with computers and all electronic devices. I am a helper with The Villages Apple Users Drop-In and we assist our fellow Villages residents with questions and problems they encounter with their Apple products.
If you have any suggestions for improving this website or any questions about your electronic devices please be sure to contact me. You can talk with me when I’m bowling or send me an inquiry using the contact form.